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Friday, April 19, 2013

Frugal Foodie Friday - Tuna Cakes

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Most of you are too young to be familiar with the malady called the Walton Syndrome. While it is not a mental or physical problem, the syndrome is a state of mind that periodically afflicts those of us who followed the television series, The Waltons, back in the 1970's. The show centered on the lives of a large extended family who lived in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. The series focused on love of family and how family needs, as well as those of the larger community, were met in difficult times. The show, whose message focused on endurance and the common good, struck a chord with viewers who yearned for a simpler time and, for years, they faithfully followed the family as they overcame the obstacles placed in their way. That yearning was called the Walton Syndrome and those aspects of their lifestyle that emphasized harmonious communal living were considered to be a prescription for surviving difficult times. Now, I haven't thought about the Waltons in years, and it is a bit embarrassing to admit that a can of tuna fish is what seemed to spark my reverie. Tuna cakes disappeared from my table years ago, but I thought they'd make a wonderful feature for Frugal Foodie Friday. Canned tuna is still cheap and the cakes are simple to make. I stopped making them because I, quite simply, tired of them. They were a weekly feature in my mother's kitchen and the Silver Fox and I had then often in the early years of our marriage. Canned tuna is one of the items found in supplemental food boxes, so I thought these tuna cakes would make a great frugal Friday feature. The recipe is put together from taste memory and it is really easy to follow. The only point at which you might encounter trouble comes while the cakes are frying. If you attempt to turn the cakes before the bottom has crusted, they will fall apart on you. While that will not affect their flavor, it may affect your appetite. I like to serve these with Brazilian Tomato Rice which you can find, here. I do think the cakes need a sauce of some type. While tartar sauce is a nice accompaniment I prefer to serve the cakes with salsa, which I think is a better match for the cilantro in the recipe. If you are looking for something that is fast, easy and inexpensive to make I hope you'll give these tuna cakes a try. They are really nice. Here is the recipe.

I always have plenty of tuna, I buy it at Costco and it is always beautiful, so I can't WAIT to make these. My problem is always the falling apart, but I will take your advice. Do you think I can use Panko? We live near the Walton's real house, about a 20 minute ride. I have many pictures and will post it sometime. Across the street from it is The Walton's Museum.

I was a big fan of the Waltons (from my bassinet, of course)! In fact, I gave my son and DIL a dvd of the original movie for Christmas. Like Ginny, I was a fairly close neighbor. There's always a can or two of tuna in our pantry and this sounds like a good showcase for them.

I think I have been suffering from Walton Syndrome lately :) And yes, I remember the Walton's!!!Tuna is one of those items that I always have in the house.. it's a good quick "go to" type ingredient. I use it in pasta and love making tuna cakes. These sound really good and I will have to try them with the sauce next time! Have a great Friday, Mary!

Oh my, but I have not thought of The Waltons in ages either. What wonderful messages they gave to us all. Thanks for the reminder. I think that frugal cooking make a lot of sense, and not just because times are hard now. Often the foods from our own regions are less expensive that imported goods or goods that have been transported across the country, Also to use things that are grown near where one lives (thereby avoiding the high cost of transporting something)is to respect and honor the farmers, growers and manufacturers in our own regions.

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